A United Methodist, an Episcopal and United Church of Christ pastor were sitting around a table at an outdoor restaurant on Peachtree Street in Atlanta during a recent ecumenical conference. They were sharing stories of their lives.
“Oh, come on,” said the UCC pastor at one point to the Episcopal priest, “surely you haven’t strictly held to that high church liturgy all your life?”
The Episcopal priest hung her head and said, “Well, if you must know, there were three consecutive Sunday mornings when I was a senior in college when I attended a Pentecostal service. And, if the truth be told, I did ‘get the Spirit’ and started dancing in the aisle.”
“That just doesn’t see like you,” the UCC pastor commented.
“I know, but since then I’ve repented and asked God for forgiveness,” said the priest. “Now, I’ve confessed that to you, but I’m not the only one. I heard a rumor that one time you actually spoke unkindly of a minority person.”
“Okay,” said the UCC pastor. “I admit it. I want you to know that it was that person’s personality that led me to say he shouldn’t be in the church. But he was of an oppressed group and that did make it easier to condemn him. But, just like you, I confessed my sin and I feel God has forgiven me.”
“You’ve been awfully quiet,” the priest said to the United Methodist. “What’s your biggest sin? Have you been drinking too much?”
“No, I haven’t,” said the United Methodist.
“Okay, you’ve been going to night clubs and dancing until the rooster crows?” the UCC pastor asked.
“No, not that either.”
“You have no sins to confess?” they asked.
“I sure do,” the United Methodist said.
There was quiet for a moment.
“Okay, what’s the biggest sin you’ve confessed to God?”
“Well, if you must know,” the United Methodist said, “every day of my life I have to ask God to forgive me for being the biggest gossiper ever ordained.”
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